Iran has accused the US Navy of firing warning shots at its vessels

By Kay Angrum

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July 29, 2017 12:26 PM EDT

A U.S. Navy aircraft carrier fired a warning shot in an "unprofessional" confrontation with Iranian vessels, Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard said Saturday, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).

"The Americans made a provocative and unprofessional move by issuing a warning and shooting flares at vessels," the statement said. "Islam’s warriors, without paying attention to this unconventional and unusual behaviour from the American vessels, continued their mission in the area and the aircraft carrier and accompanying battleship left the area."

The report said the confrontation took place Friday afternoon and the U.S. navy ships left the area following the encounter. The U.S. Navy's Bahrain-based 5th Fleet had no immediate comment.

The incident comes after a U.S. Navy patrol boat fired warning shots Tuesday near an Iranian vessel that American sailors said came dangerously close to them during a tense encounter.